I generally to go MOBIUS, OhioLink, or Library of Congress to check the formation of and the accuracy of your subject headings. The screencast above shows you how I go about it.
Authorized subject headings ("LC Subject Headings" or "LC Subject Headings for Children". Reference pp. 49-54 of your textbook for a discussion of what "Authorized & References" to help you understand what this means.
Type in the subject of your item to be cataloged. In the result list you will be presented with subject headings that have been used by other catalogs. Select those that are most congenial with your item being cataloged.
Type subject heading in a catalog such as Access Pennsylvania or Link+ to get the correct form of the subject heading -- correct tag and subfields.
This doesn't replace a Sears List of Subject Headings or abridged Dewey, but the list is very useful for finding a Dewey number associated with a particular subject heading
If you don't have access to a current copy of Sears you can certainly use this PDF file.
Remember Command (or Control)-F is your friend in searching huge files.
Sears Subject Headings
H.W. Wilson now offers the Sears List of Subject Headings on WilsonWeb for an annual subscription of $150.00. This is the most current version of Sears, the 20th edition. (I don't like this database and think it is terribly incomplete -- but it is available.)
How I check your subject headings
Screencast: http://screencast.com/t/67SIHA9u2Ra6I generally to go MOBIUS, OhioLink, or Library of Congress to check the formation of and the accuracy of your subject headings. The screencast above shows you how I go about it.
LC Subject Headings
- Authorized subject headings ("LC Subject Headings" or "LC Subject Headings for Children". Reference pp. 49-54 of your textbook for a discussion of what "Authorized & References" to help you understand what this means.
OCLC Classify - http://deweyresearch.oclc.org/classify2/Where Else Can I Find Subject Headings?
Sears Subject Headings